SMOKE ALARMS
The State of Illinois requires all homes to have smoke alarms within 15 feet of all sleeping quarters, on every level of a home and within every sleeping quarter. There are two different types of smoke alarms- photoelectric and ionization. Each type will work with different types of fire.
- Photoelectric detectors are generally more sensitive than ionization technology at detecting large particles of smoke, which are produced by smoldering fires.
- Ionization detectors are generally more sensitive at detecting small particles, which are produced by fast-flaming fires. Most of the detectors manufactured today utilize ionization technology.
- There are also alarms that are both photoelectric and ionization sensing. These alarms will offer the best of both technologies for early fire detection.
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS AND POISONING
High levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal, causing death within minutes. Carbon monoxide is a gas you can’t see, taste or smell. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and can have a long term health risk if left unattended. Therefore, it is extremely important to recognize the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Dizziness
Recently Illinois passed a law requiring the installation of carbon monoxide detectors within 15 feet of sleeping quarters in homes that are heated with any fossil fuel appliances. When choosing a carbon monoxide detector, the Fire Department suggests installing a detector that has an easy to read light-emitting diode (LED) display that will show the level of carbon monoxide.
- Look for a detector that is both AC powered and a battery backup. Most of the detectors with an LED display are AC powered.
- Make sure you are purchasing the newest device available.
- Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a good alternative if your smoke alarm needs replacement. This combination detector should be placed in the hallway area outside of the sleeping quarters of your home.
- With a combination alarm/detector, be familiar with the different sounds that your device will make indicating between smoke and carbon monoxide.
If you have any further questions, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 847/818-5253.
FIRE SPRINKLERS...DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know the following facts about sprinklers?
- Smoke alarms and sprinklers can reduce the loss of life in a fire by 98.5%.
- 98% of all fires in homes are controlled with the activation of one sprinkler head.
- Sprinklers prevent the fast developing fires of intense heat, which are capable of trapping and killing building occupants.
- Sprinklers discharge less amounts of water than fire department hoses.
You shouldn’t always believe what you see on television or in the movies. Fire sprinklers are individually heat activated. Many times people believe that when there is a fire the smoke from the fire will start a fire sprinkler to flow water. The truth, however, is that each sprinkler head has a heat activated element that will allow water to flow only when the ceiling temperatures reach a specific temperature, usually around 155 degrees Fahrenheit at the ceiling. Smoke from the fire will NOT activate a sprinkler head. Since sprinkler heads are heat activated, they are only activated when the fire is in the area of the head. In other words, when one goes off they don’t all go off.
POISION PREVENTION AWARENESS
General Medicine Safety Tips:
- Read the medicine label.
- Be sure you understand the directions and follow them exactly.
- Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
- Never share your medicine with someone else or take someone else’s medicine.
- Know which foods, drinks or other medicines can be dangerous if taken together.
- Do not chew, crush or break capsules or tablets unless the doctor or pharmacist says to do so.
- Take your medicines for the exact number of days your doctor has told you to, even if you feel better.
- Always keep medicine in its original container with its original label.
- After you use a medicine, put the safety cap back on tightly.
Please visit the Illinois Poison Center website for more information.
FIRE-RELATED WEBSITES
- US Fire Administration
- Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
- Illinois Fire Safety Alliance
- National Fire Protection Association
- Consumer Product Safety Council
SAFETY TOPICS
If you use a space heater in your home or office, the Mount Prospect Fire Department encourages you to follow these important safety tips:
Look for a space heater equipped with a guard around the heat source to keep children and pets safe.- Select a heater approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
- Follow manufacturer instructions for proper use and safety measures.
- Use space heaters only in well-vented areas and at least three feet away from any objects such as curtains, clothing or furniture.
- Always place a space heater on a flat, level surface.
- Do not use an extension cord to power the space heater.
- Use K-1 kerosene only for kerosene space heaters (do not use gasoline, camp stove fuel, or any other flammable liquid).
- Store all fuel outdoors. Never refuel the heater inside the home.
- Never leave a space heater on overnight or unattended.
- Never place objects on the space heater to dry.
For more information, please call the Mount Prospect Fire Prevention Bureau at 847.818.5253.
As the winter weather arrives and you use your fireplace to keep your home warm, please follow these important safety tips:
Keep Fireplaces Clean
- Have your chimney thoroughly cleaned and inspected at least once a year. Make sure that the flue is carefully inspected both inside and out.
- Burn only hard woods as they contain smaller amounts of creosote, a black tarry substance that can block passageways and/or easily ignite.
- Put cool ashes in a metal container when you clean out your fireplace.
Safely Burn Fuel
- Never leave a fire in your fireplace unattended.
- Burn only seasoned firewood.
- Never burn paper, charcoal or rags.
- When using artificial logs, burn only one at a time.
Protect Your Home
- Keep flammable and combustible articles at least three feet away from the open fire.
- Make certain that your smoke detectors are working.
- Always use a fireplace screen in front of your fireplace.
- Supervise children at all times when using your fireplace.
FIRE SUPPRESSION & OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE
The Mount Prospect Fire Department is responsible for providing fire suppression services within the Village of Mount Prospect as well as parts of unincorporated Cook County that are part of the Forest River Fire Protection District and Elk Grove Township. The Department provides this service with 81 firefighters, operating out of four fire stations. On a daily basis, these firefighters operate one tower, three frontline engines/trucks, four ambulances and a command vehicle. Firefighters work 24 hour shifts, ensuring that the community is protected around the clock. In 2025, the Fire Department responded to over 2,200 non-EMS related calls for service. This includes structure fires, other fires, hazardous situations, false alarms and service calls.
The Department is also responsible for providing emergency response in specialty areas such as hazardous materials, technical rescue (above and below ground) and water rescue and recovery. As a result, the Department maintains one special response team in each of these areas. Personnel assigned to these teams receive specialized training every year, corresponding to their team.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE (EMS)
Providing Emergency Medical Service (EMS) has become is vital part of what the Fire Department does each and every day. On average, 74 percent of the Department's calls for service are medical requests. In 2025, Mount Prospect paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) responded to nearly 5,700 EMS calls. Mount Prospect paramedics respond to medical emergencies using four frontline ambulances as well as three frontline engines and one tower. These vehicles allow the Department to assist residents quickly and efficiently during an emergency.
Since the inception of the paramedic program in 1972, all of the Department's firefighters have also been required to be both EMT and paramedic certified. This requirement gives the Department flexibility as its entire operations staff is cross-trained to provide both fire suppression and EMS care. In addition to their initial certification, paramedics have to participate in a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education training per year and renew their licenses every four years. As a result of this continuous training, paramedics today are performing tasks and using equipment not even imagined back in 1972.
For more information, call the Fire Administration Offices at 847/870-5660.